Safety mechanism for automatic nozzle



March 1970 s. E- MOORE ETAL 3,502,121

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC NOZZLE Filed Nov. 14 1966 I 3Sheets-Sheet 1 1 CHESTER WOOD ATTORNEYS March 1970 e. E. MOORE ETAL3,502,121

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC NOZZLE Filed Nov. 14, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTORS GLENN E. MOORE CHESTER WOOD ATTORNEYS March 24, 1970 MoonsETAL 3,502,121

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC NOZZLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 14.1966 INVENTORS GLENN E. MOORE BY CHESTER W000 ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent SAFETY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC NOZZLE Glenn E. Moore, Fairfield,and Chester Wood, Cincinnati,

Ohio, assignors to Dover Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,110 Int. Cl.B65b 1/30, 57/14, 3/28 US. Cl. 141-207 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe safety means includes a member extending in spaced relation alongthe inner side of said arcuate dispensing nozzle from the free endthereof, where it is fixedly attached to the other end, where it isoperatively connected to the triggering cam means which is associatedwith the automatic shut-off means. The intake neck of the tank bends orforces the member into contact with the inner side of the nozzle andoperates the triggering cam to permit normal operation of the shut-offmeans. The triggering cam is pivotally mounted on the end of the plungerof the shut-off means and is bodily movable therewith.

This invention pertains to fluid dispensing head means and moreparticularly to a safety device for such fluid dispensing head means.

Fluid dispensing head means such as dispensing nozzles for liquids, suchas gasoline, or the like, in present use are generally operated byexperienced personnel. Particularly in the dispensing of gasoline inautomobiles, any inadvertent flow of gasoline prior to insertion of anozzle within an automobile fuel tank could create a serious fire hazardas well as damage articles upon which the inadvertently dispensedgasoline might fall. In self-service type gasoline stations where theautomobile operator is encouraged to operate the gasoline nozzle it isespecially important that a nozzle be provided with adequate safetymeans to assure that gasoline is not dispensed inadvertently.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improvedfluid dispensing head or nozzle means having safety means incorporatedas an integral part thereof to prevent inadvertent dispensing of fluidtherethrough.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved fluiddispensing nozzle of simple and economical construction having safetymeans assuring that fluid will be dispensed through such nozzle onlywhile such nozzle is placed in dispensing relation within fluidreceiving container means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide improved safety meansadapted to be used with automatic shut-off means provided in a fluiddispensing nozzle.

Another feature of this invention is to provide mechanical linkage meansadapted to be fastened to a fluid nozzle at one of its ends andoperatively connected to automatic shut-off means provided within suchnozzle at its other end to provide a mechanical safety device preventingoperation of such fluid nozzle at all times except when such nozzle isinserted within an associated tank in a fluid dispensing position.

Another feature of this invention is to provide mechanical safety meansarranged to operate within a fluid nozzle such as a gasoline nozzle andcomprising mechanical cam means operatively connected to actuateautomatic highlevel shut-off means normally provided within such nozzle.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved safety meansfor a gasoline nozzle which. can be easily incorporated in standardexisting nozzles efiiciently and with minimum modification of suchexisting nozzles.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide 3,502,121Patented Mar. 24, 1970 ice an improved safety means having one or moreof the novel features of this invention as set forth above orhereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent froma reading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view illustrating a dispensing nozzle of thetype used to dispense gasoline and illustrating a portion of oneexemplary embodiment of the safety means of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view illustrating the gasoline nozzle of FIGURE I insertedwithin container means such as the filler pipe of an automobile gasolinetank.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the terminal end portion of the nozzleof FIGURE 1 with parts in section and parts broken away particularlyillustrating mechanical safety means provided therefor prior toinsertion within a gasoline tank.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3 with parts in sectionand parts borken away illustrating the exemplary gasoline nozzle ofFIGURE I inserted in dispensing position Within such gasoline tank.

FIGURE 5 is a view with parts in section and parts broken awayillustrating another exemplary embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illus trating the upper endportion of a rigid member which comprises the safety device provided onthe nozzle of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a lower guard used with the nozzle of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a view on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adaptable for providing mechanicalsafety means for a gasoline dispensing nozzle or the like, it is to beunderstood that the various features of this invention can be utilizedsingly or in any combination thereof to provide mechanical safety meansfor other uses as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention shown in FIGURES l4 of thedrawings, an improved fluid dis= pensing head means such as a gasolinedispensing nozzle 20 is illustrated. Dispensing nozzle 20 is comprisedof a main body 21 having normally closed valve means indicated generallyby the numeral 22 supported within body 21.

Valve means 22 comprises a poppet valve 23 which is normally urgedclosed by a spring 24 against a cooperating seat 25 provided in housing21. Poppet valve 23 has a stem 26 fixed to the lower end thereof. Thelower end of stem 26 is normally engaged by a suitably pivoted lever 27to override spring 24- and thus open valve assembly 22.

A passage 30 is provided in housing 21 and such housing has means suchas threads or the like at the entrance to passage 30 for connection ofnozzle 20 to a flexible hose, or the like, which in turn is connected toa source of gasoline through a gasoline metering pump. A dischargeconduit 32 is also suitably connected to the discharge end of nozzle 20.Upon actuating lever 27, with nozzle 20 inserted in a gasoline tank sothat the safety means of this invention to be later described isoverridden, stem 26 and hence poppet 23 is raised upwardly allowinggasoline to flow through passage 30' and out of nozzle 20 through. itsdischarge conduit 32.

Presently used gasoline nozzles generally include automatic shut-01fmeans enabling leaving the nozzle unattend ed. Therefore it is necessaryto provide automatic shut-off means to shut oft the flow of gasolinethrough nozzle 20 once an associated gasoline tank has been filled.

In this example of the invention, such automatic highlevel sh t-E meansis of a known type and is designated within nozzle generally by thenumeral 33. Shut-off means 33 comprises a generally tubular cylindricalplunger 34 mounted within housing 21 for axial movement with in confinedlimits. Plunger 34 has radial openings in one end portion thereof, shownin the upper end portion in this example, and a plurality of balls 35carried within such radial openings for radial movement toward and awayfrom the elongated axis of plunger 34. The balls 35 normally lookplunger in a raised position as shown in FIGURE 1 upon being urgedradially outwardly by a cooperating stem 36 extending through thecentral portion of tubular plunger 34 as will be presently described.

Stem 36 is suitably centrally fastened to a diaphragm 37 which iscarried within housing 21 to define a pressure chamber shown at 38. Stem36- has a tapered portion illustrated at 39 adapted to engage balls 35.A balance spring 130 is provided on the top side of diaphragm 37 forcontrolling the extent of movement of such diaphragm and hence themovement of tapered portion 39 and balls 35:

During a normal filling operation, with a tank not yet full, thepressure within chamber 38 is such that tapered portion 39 urges balls35 outwardly so that they engage an O-ring or seat ring 41 supported ona shoulder 42 provided in housing 21, thus holding plunger 34 in itsraised position. This is the position shown in FIGURE 4.

As the tank or container is :filled, liquid submerges the terminal endportion of arcuate discharge conduit 32 also submerging passage means 43opening adjacent the end of conduit 32 to cause a reduction in pressurein such passage means. The opposite end of passage 43 communicates withchamber 38 and thus the reduced pressure is also provided in chamber 38.The reduced pressure in chamber 38 allows diaphragm 3-7 to move upwardlycausing balls 35 to roll toward each other unlocking plunger 34 andcausing the plunger and a pivot pin 48 for lever 27 carried adjacent theterminal end of shaft 34 to drop to a position indicated by dotted linesat 45. With pivot pin 48 dropped to position 45, lever 27 strikeshousing 21 at 46 upon being actuated making it physically impossible forlever -27 to contact the terminal end of rod 2 6 and allow flow throughpoppet assembly 23. It will be appreciated that once the mechanicalassembly associated with plunger 34 drops to position spring 24immediately urges poppet assembly 23 closed.

While it is possible and may be desirable in some applications toprovide mechanical safety means which operate directly to actuate valvemeans 22, in this example of the invention the mechanical safety meansoperates in conjunction with the automatic high-level shut-off meansprovided in nozzle 20 to thus achieve optimum safety.

Most gasoline nozzles in current use have an automatic high-levelshut-off means being generally of the type presented herein and thesafety device of this invention is of such simple and economicalconstruction that it can be easily incorporated in existing gasolinedispensing nozzles with minimum modification thereof.

The mechanical safety means of this invention preferably comprises meanswhich engages container means such as a gasoline tmk by engaging theinside surface of a filler pipe 56 provided for tank 55. Filler pipe 56has a tubular opening 57 provided therein, see FIGURE 2, for insertionof discharge conduit 32 therewithin in a gasoline dispensing position.

The mechanical safety means or linkage comprises a flexible member 66which engages container 55 by engaging pipe 56 thus allowing lever 27 tobe actuated and permitting valve assembly 22 to be opened for thedispensing of gasoline. Once the gasoline nozzle 20 is removed from itsgasoline dispensing position illustrated in FIGURE 2, the safety meansstops fiow through nozzle 20 by making 4 use of the mechanism of theautomatic shut-01f means in a manner as will be presently described.

As seen in the drawings discharge conduit 32 of gasoline dispensingnozzle 20 is arranged generally in an arcuate path. Mechanical member 60while being easily flexible as previously mentioned is made of anon-stretchable material such as metal and is illustrated in thisexample as a steel strip. Strip 6%, is fastened adjacent the terminalfuel discharge end of arcuate conduit 32 by suitable means preferably bya screw 63. At its opposite end steel strip 60 is fastened to cam meansillustrated as a cam 64 as by inserting such steel strip through acooperating hole 65 provided in such cam.

Cam 64 is mounted on guard 37 for pivoting movement about a pivot pointdefined by a pin 66 and also includes means urging such cam intoengagement with triggering means for triggering the automatic high-levelshut-off means 33 provided with nozzle 20 as will be explained later. Inthis example of the invention such urging means preferably comprises aspring 67 fastened around pin 66 and fixed with respect to guard 97.

Spring 67 rotates or pivots cam 64 about pin 66 and thereby tends tostraighten steel strip 60 so that it extends between screw 63 and cam 64essentially in a straight line. This arrangement is illustrated inFIGURE 3 and comprises the safety position.

Upon inserting conduit 32 within container means such as within fillerpipe 56 of gasoline tank 55 for an automobile, steel strip 60 is urgedinto close proximity with the contour of conduit 32 illustrated inFIGURE 4. This action overrides the spring 67 and rotates cam 64counterclockwise thereby allowing spring urged stem 36 to move cam 72clockwise into inoperative position and allowing the shut-off means 33to operate normally.

Upon removing dispensing nozzle 20 from within pipe 5'6, steel strip 60is removed from engagement with pipe 56 and thus spring 67 is allowed torotate the entire mechanical assembly so that it assumes the position ofFIG- URE 3 and a terminal end portion of cam 64 designated by thenumeral 70 engages triggering means for triggering the shut-off means 33independently of liquid level.

The triggering means of this example of the invention comprises cammeans illustrated as another cam designated by the numeral 72 which ispivotally mounted on the lower end of the holding plunger 34 and isadapted to engage a portion of the automatic shut-off means 33 toaccomplish the triggering action.

Cam 72 has a sloping camming surface designated by the numeral 73 whichsloping surface engages rounded terminal end 74 of stem 36 in theautomatic shut-off means 33, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, upon holdingnozzle 20 so that strip 60 is out of engagement with an associated contaner means cam surface 70 of cam 64 engages a terminal end portion 76 ofcam 72 and thereby rotates cam 72 counterclockwise. The counterclockwiserotation of cam 72 causes projection 73 to move upwardly and therebymove stem 36 upwardly causing balls 35 to move toward each other causingplunger 34 to drop to the position illustrated in dotted lines at 45.This same action was accomplished by the automatic high-level shut-offmeans 33 by reducing the pressure acting against the top side ofdiaphragm 37 which also caused tapered portion 39 to move upwardly andplunger 34 to drop and stop flow through valve 22.

As cam 72 is rotated counterclockwise by cam 64 is limited in itscounterclockwise rotation by a shoulder portion 77 thereof engaging anassociated shoulder 80 provided in housing 21.

Irrespective of whether stem 36 is actuated by the action of diaphragm37 or by projection 73 of cam 72, the net effect is to cause balls 35 toroll toward each other and thereby drop plunger assembly 34 to dottedposition 45 as previously explained. Thus the mechanical safety means ofthis exemplary embodiment of the invention employs the structure andoperation of the automatic high-level shut-off feature normally providedin a fuel dispensing nozzle of this type.

Another exemplary embodiment of mechanical safety means of thisinvention is illustrated in FIGURES 8 of the drawings used on a gasolinenozzle which is practically identical to the nozzle of FIGURE 1;therefore, the nozzle of this latter embodiment will also be designatedby the numeral 20 followed by the letter designation A and componentparts of nozzle 20A which are identical to corresponding parts of nozzle20 will be designated by the same numeral as in nozzle 20 also followedby the letter designation A and not described again in detail.

Only those component parts of nozzle 20A which are different fromcorresponding parts in nozzle 20 will be designated by a new numeralalso followed by the letter A and described in detail.

The improved mechanical safety means used in nozzle 20A also preferablyoperates in conjunction with the automatic high level shut-off meansprovided in such nozzle to provide optimum safety yet withoutunnecessary duplication of component parts.

The mechanical safety means or linkage of this latter embodimentcomprises an elongated rigid member 90A which engages inside wall meansof filler pipe 56 provided on container 55 thus allowing lever 27A to beactuated and permitting valve assembly 22A, identical to valve assembly22 of nozzle 20, to be opened for dispensing of gasoline through nozzle20A. In a practically identical manner as described in connection withnozzle 20, once nozzle 20A is removed from its gasoline dispensingposition the safety means moves from the solid line position illustratedin FIGURE 5 of the drawings to the dotted line position and utilizes themechanism of the automatic shut-off means provided in nozzle 20A to stopflow through such nozzle.

Discharge conduit 32A of nozzle 20A is formed in an arcuate path andmechanical member 90A is formed so that it has a contoured portioncorresponding in length and configuration to the arcuate path of conduit32A. Member 90A is supported for pivoting movement at its lower terminalend in a manner as will be described subsequently.

Member 90A is a substantially U-shaped member, see FIGURE 6, which has abase portion designated by the numeral 91A and a pair of substantiallyparallel legs each designated by the numeral 92A extending from baseportion 91A. The U-shaped configuration of member 90A enables suchmember to be formed to follow the contour of conduit 32A yet to havesufficient strength and rigidity to enable member 90A to be moved in apivoting manner about its lower end and toward and away from conduit 32Aupon the application of an actuating force or an urging force againstmember 90A at practically any posi-.

tion along its length. Although member 90A may be made of any suitablerigid material, in this example of the invention such member is made ofmetal which can be formed into the arcuate configuration in a simple andeconomical manner yet has high structural strength and rigidity.

The terminal end portion 94A of member 90A is supported adjacent themain housing 21A of nozzle 20A. Upper portion or tip 94A is definedessentially by only a short section of base portion 91A of U-shapedmember 90A. Tip 94A is preferably bent upwardly, as viewed in FIGURE 5,at a slight angle and has lower surface means such as a cam surface 95Awhich is adapted to engage and trip cam 72A in a similar manner aspreviously described in connection with cam 64 engaging and tripping cam72 within nozzle 20.

In this exemplary embodiment of the invention housing means such as acover designated by the numeral 96A is arranged around the upper endportion of U-shaped member 90A. Cover 96A is preferably formed as anintegral part of a lower guard unit or member 97A, see FIGURE 7, whichin this exemplary embodiment of the invention defines the lower portionof housing 21A. Guard 97A has a pair of openings adjacent its oppositeends designated by the numerals 98A and 99A respectively which are usedto fasten guard 97A to the main portion of housing 21A as will besubsequently described.

Integral cover portion 96A of guard 97A has an elongated slot designatedby the numeral 100A arranged in its outer forward surface which allowsmovement of the upper end portion of member A toward and away from thehead portion of nozzle 20A. Such upper end portion of member 90A issupported for movement within cover 96A as will be presently described.

A pin 101A is provided and rests or abuts against housing 21A in anysuitable manner and such pin has a smooth cylindrical outer surfacewhich is adapted to support and enable sliding movement of the upper endportion of member 90A immediately adjacent its terminal upstream tip94A. A cooperating circular opening 102A is provided in the upper endportion of member 90A and such opening corresponds in size to theoutside diameter of pin 101A.

Rigid member 90A is thus supported along arcuate conduit 32A so as toenable pivoting movement about its lower end while the upper end ofmember 90A is arranged within cover 96A with pin 101A inserted throughopening 102A to enable limited sliding movement of such upper end alongpin 101A and toward and away from conduit 32A.

A compression spring designated by the numeral 10 4A is provided withincover 96A and in surrounding relation around pin 101A. Compressionspring 104A is adapted to engage inside surface means adjoining opening102A at the upper end portion of member 90A and urge such upper endportion away from the main body of housing 21A and hence away fromconduit 32A.

Thus, with member 90A supported in its normal position along conduit 32Aspring 104A urges the upper end portion of member 90A outwardly awayfrom arcuate conduit 32A. This position is illustrated as a dotted lineposition in FIGURE 5 of the drawings and comprises a safety position.

Upon inserting conduit 32A within filler pipe 56, member 90A is urgedsubstantially in nested relation immediately adjacent conduit 32A andshown as the solid line position of FIGURE 5 to thereby override spring104A and move cam surface A away from the previously describedtriggering means or triggering cam 72-A which is used to trigger theautomatic shut-off means 33A provided within nozzle 20A.

Upon removing conduit 32A of nozzle 20A from within pipe 56, spring 104Aacts against the upper end portion of member 90A and urges such upperend portion outwardly along slot A so that cam surface 95A engages cam72A, as shown by the dotted line position, to thereby rotate cam 72Acounterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of cam 72A causesprojection 73A to move upwardly and thereby move stem 36A upwardlycausing balls 35A to move toward each other and plunger 34 to drop tothe position illustrated in dotted lines at 45A. This, of course, is thesafety position and it is physically impossible to cause fuel to flowthrough nozzle 20A with plunger 34A in position 45A as previouslyexplained in connection with nozzle 20.

The terminal lower end portion or tip shown generally at A of rigidmember 90A may be supported for pivoting movement in any desired manner.In this example of the invention tip 110A is defined by only the baseportion of U-shaped member 90A.

A cooperating rectangular slot 111A is provided adjacent the terminaldischarge end of conduit 32A and tip 110A has a transverse section 112Awhich extends toward conduit 32A and through slot 111A and a terminalend portion 113A which extends along the lower inside surface of conduit32A in the direction of fluid flow. Rigid member 90A thus is supportedbetween slot 111A and pin 101A and pivots about the curved surface 114Aprovided in tip 110A.

Main housing 21A in this example of the invention has a pair of spacedapart openings therein designated by the numerals 116A and 117A andcorresponding in size and spacing to openings 98A and 99A in guardportion 97A and such openings are used to enable fastening guard portion97A in position as will be described subsequently.

The manner of installing member 90A in position on nozzle A iscomparatively simple and the structural arrangement provided utilizes aminimum number of component parts. Pin 101A is installed on the mainlower portion of housing 21A in any suitable manner as previouslymentioned and spring 104A is placed in position.

Rigid member 90A in this exemplary embodiment of the invention ispreferably preformed so as to provide the proper contours at both endportions as well as between such end portions. In addition, opening 102Ais also preformed, as by drilling, in member 90A.

The terminal end portion 113A of member 90A is inserted through slot111A in conduit 32A by holding member 90A substantially normal to suchconduit then member 90A is moved so that transverse portion 112A extendsthrough opening 111A. Guard portion 97A at this point is free of themain portion of housing 21A and with cam 72A in its lower position guard97A is held so that its opening 100A slips over the upper end portion ofmember 90A and then member 90A is moved in position with its opening102A around pin 101A while holding spring 104A compressed.

Guard 97A is then positioned so that its openings 98A and 99A arealigned in position with openings 116A and 117A respectively in housing21A. Fastening means such as a pair of rivets each designated by thenumeral 120A is provided and each rivet 120A extends through anassociated pair of aligned openings. Rivets 120A hold guard 97A to mainhousing 21A and integral cover 96A thereof in surrounding relationaround upper end portion of member 90A.

It will be appreciated that it is an important consideration to providea mechanical safety device which is essentially foolproof and which canbe added to existing dispensing nozzles. The simple construction of eachexemplary mechanical safety device of this invention makes each devicereadily adaptable to practically any known automatic nozzle havinghigh-level automatic shut-off means simply by providing an additionalmanually actuated mechanism which operates together with the highlevelautomatic shut-off assembly provided in such nozzle. Its simpleconstruction also makes the safety device of this invention readilyuseable to actuate a flow control valve such as valve 22 directly.

The mechanical arrangement of metal strip or member 60 or member 90A andof its associated mechanical assembly is such that in each case eachmember operates independently of the size or configuration of anyparticular opening provided in a fuel container in which the associatednozzle is inserted. Nor is it important that the crosssectional geometryof each member 60 or 90A be precisely controlled. It is sufficient, forexample, to provide an arrangement wherein the actual weight of nozzle20 or 20A itself is suflicient to move cam surface 70 or 95Arespectively away from its associated triggering cam without relyingupon any other compressive action or any other forces that might beacting upon the associated nozzle and tending to urge each member 60 or90A toward its associated adjoining arcuate conduit.

Terms such as top, bottom, lower, upper, and the like, have been used inthis disclosure for ease of description and to correspond to thepositions of various components as illustrated in the drawings. It willbe appreciated that such terms should not be considered as limiting thescope of this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved safety means of simple and economicalconstruction has been provided for a fluid dispensing head means whichmakes the operation of a dispensing head such as a dispensing head forgasoline or the like foolproof and capable of being used byinexperienced operators.

Further, this invention provides a foolproof safety device which can beincorporated simply and economically on existing fuel dispensingnozzles.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. Fluid dispensing head means for dispensing fluids into fluidcontainer means comprising, valve means within said head means adaptedto be opened to allow fluid flow through said fluid dispensing headmeans, and mechanical safety means adapted to engage said fluidcontainer means, said safety means allowing said valve means to beopened during engagement of said safety means with said container meanswhile shutting oif said valve means upon disengaging said safety meansfrom said container means and thus assure said fluid is only dispensedin said container means, fluid discharge conduit means fixed to one endof said head means and adapted to be submerged in fluid upon fillingsaid container means and said head means having automatic shut-off meansfor automatically shutting oif flow through said valve means as aportion of said conduit means is submerged in fluid, whereby said safetymeans shuts off said valve means by actuating said automatic shut-offmeans, said safety means comprising means operatively connected to saidautomatic shut-off means and extending along said discharge conduitmeans so as to enable easy engagement of said container means with saidhead means in fluid dispensing position, said discharge conduit meanscomprising a tubular conduit arranged generally in an arcuate path, saidsafety means further comprising flexible means having one end heldadjacent said tubular conduit downstream of said head means and theopposite end operatively associating with triggering means supportedwithin said head means for triggering said automatic shut-off means,said flexible means normally extending essentially in a straight chordalline manner between said triggering means and adjacent said arcuatetubular conduit thereby allowing said triggering means to trigger saidautomatic shut-off means upon placing said flexible means intoengagement with said container means said triggering means comprisingfirst cam means adapted to engage a portion of said automatic shut-01fmeans and operated by said flexible means to accomplish triggeringaction.

2. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim 1 in which saidtriggering means comprises second cam means supported on said head meansfor pivoting movement and having means arranged to engage and operatesaid first cam means, said second cam means being operatively connectedto said flexible means so that upon placing said flexible means intoengagement with said container means said second cam means is rotatedout of engagement with said first cam means allowing said normaloperation of said shut-off means.

3. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim 2 in which said flexiblemeans comprises non-stretchable means normally tending to remainstraight and requiring force application so that said non-stretchablemeans will follow said arcuate path of said tubular conduit.

4. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim 2 in which saidtriggering means further comprises spring means normally urging saidsecond cam means into engagement with said first cam means said springmeans being overridden by said rigid member once said head means andconduit means are in dispensing position.

5. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim 4 in which said first cammeans has a cam projection which engages said portion of said automaticshut-off means and is adapted to be pivoted through a limited arc.

6. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim in which said containermeans has tubular opening means adapted to receive said tubular conduittherewithin, said flexible means being engaged by portions of saidcontainer means adjacent said opening means upon inserting said tubularconduit in dispensing relation within said opening means.

7. Fluid dispensing head means for dispensing fluids into fluidcontainer means comprising, valve means within said head means adaptedto be opened to allow fluid flow through said fluid dispensing headmeans, and mechanical safety means adapted to engage said fluidcontainer means, said safety means allowing said valve means to beopened during engagement of said safety means with said container meanswhile shutting off said valve means upon disengaging said safety meansfrom said container means and thus assure said fluid is only dispensedin. said container means, fluid discharge conduit means fixed to one endof said head means and adapted to be submerged in fluid upon fillingsaid container means and said head means having automatic shut-off meansfor automatically shutting off flow through said valve means as aportion of said conduit means is submerged in fluid, whereby said safetymeans shuts off said valve means by actuating said automatic shut-offmeans, said discharge conduit means comprising a tubular conduit, saidsafety means comprises an elongated rigid member having one end heldadjacent said tubular conduit downstream from said head means and itsopposite end operatively associating with triggering means supportedwithin said head means for triggering said automatic shut-off means,said rigid member being moved to override said triggering means uponengagement with said container means and thereby allow said automaticshut-off means to operate normally, said automatic shut-off means havingan element movable relative to said dispensing head, said triggeringmeans comprising cam means operatively connected with said element andsaid rigid member, said cam means being actuated by said opposite end ofsaid rigid member to accomplish the triggering action.

8. Dispensing head means as set forth in claim 7 in which said rigidmember is substantially U-shaped throughout its entire length forincreased strength and rigidity and has a first and second section atits opposite terminal ends which is defined by only the base portion ofsaid U-shaped member, said first section being inserted throughcooperating opening means in the terminal discharge end of said conduitmeans and then extending outwardly therealong to hold said one end forpivoting movement and said second section having said second cam surfacemeans provided therein.

9. Dispensing head-means as set forth in claim 7 in which saidtriggering means comprises second cam surface means provided on theupstream end portion of said rigid member and adapted to engage andoperate said first cam means.

10. Dispensing head means as Set forth in claim 9 in which saidtriggering means further comprises compression spring means normallyurging said second cam surface means into engagement with said first cammeans, said compression spring means being overridden by said rigidmember once said head means and conduit means are in dispensingposition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,889 1/1958 Krause 141-2082,867,249 1/1959 Denlinger 141-208 3,012,592 12/1961 Wright et al141-208 3,085,600 4/1963 Briede 141-209 3,088,500 5/1963 Payne 141-209 X3,276,486 10/1966 Slattery 141-208 2,934,103 4/1960 Frise 141-208LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner E. J. EARL-S, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R, 141-209

